Micro Needling: Trick or Treat-ment?

Dermatologists and skin care experts are continuously searching for greater ways to take care of our skin, and faster methods of reaching our goals. Facials, microdermabrasion, botox, laser… these are common treatments that provide us with a variety of skin care options. In honor of Halloween, we thought we would talk about another treatment that has been rising in popularity due to it’s bloody style and spine-chilling results. But really, it’s not scary, we’re just taking the Halloween theme and running with it. Can you blame us? However, if you get weak in the knees thinking about getting a flu shot or your ears pierced, this treatment may not be for you.

Micro Needling is a treatment that involves a tool equipped with several, shallow needles in either the form of a roller or an electronic pen. We personally prefer the pen over the roller, because the roller is not as precise the pen, which leads to greater discomfort and inconsistent effects on the skin.

The reason this treatment has become increasingly popular has much to do with the array of skin care concerns it treats and the results it delivers. It specifically targets sunken areas in the skin caused by acne, chicken pox, fine lines, and helps correct discoloration, scars, and give your skin a total rejuvenation. The best part is, this treatment does not have to be limited to the face! And truly, it doesn’t hurt the way you think it might. It has been described as feeling a bit like sandpaper. The way it works is thatthe needles cause a micro injury to your skin, causing your skin to bleed and rush quickly to heal and repair the cells, thus prompting the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

Immediately after your treatment, your skin will bed red, similar to a sunburn. This redness can last on average from about 2-4 days, but many clients see the redness cease in just 24 hours. If you’re worried about the redness, simply book your treatment on a Friday, and you’ll be back to normal by Monday morning for work! Before signing up for a micro needling treatment, it would be wise to note that this treatment is not a one-time fix and end-all to your skin care concerns. Rather, it is best done in a series of 2-8 treatments spaced about 6-8 weeks apart. Your esthetician or dermatologist will be able to recommend an individualized assessment and treatment plan for you.

After your treatment, you can expect to see an immediate glow. Visible changes are seen within several days to a few weeks, with improvement up to 6 months.